We wrapped up our unit on Ancient Egypt and will be studying Early American Civilization next. The kids finished the unit by making Egyptian collar necklaces since the Egyptians valued gold and other jewels so much.
November 22, 2015
November 5, 2015
Loretto Food Drive
The Annual Loretto food drive is underway!
We are collecting canned goods and other non-perishable food items for families in need. This drive will directly benefit Loretto families. All excess food items will be sent to the Mandarin Food Bank to be distributed in our community. The drive runs until November 20, so please consider sending in at least one item in the next two weeks!
We are collecting canned goods and other non-perishable food items for families in need. This drive will directly benefit Loretto families. All excess food items will be sent to the Mandarin Food Bank to be distributed in our community. The drive runs until November 20, so please consider sending in at least one item in the next two weeks!
October 28, 2015
October 19, 2015
Field Trip
We will be taking a field trip to Sweet Pete's on Tuesday, November 10.
Chaperones ARE limited, so please let me know as soon as you can and I will hold a drawing for two that can attend. Make sure your volunteer background check is current with the county.
The cost of the trip is $12. Money is due by Thursday, October 29
The cost of the trip is $12. Money is due by Thursday, October 29
October 14, 2015
i-ready mini test
Approximately once a month your child will be taking a growth monitoring test on i-ready. I will refer to this as a "mini test" because it's a much shorter test than the original diagnostic, but it lets me know how your child is progressing. When logged into i-ready your child will typically see a red button allowing them to start or continue a lesson. This button will change to green when a growth monitoring test has been assigned to them. I would prefer that this test NOT be taken at home. Taking the test in class will allow me to get the most accurate results. As is the case this go around, there is only one mini test given at a time so your child can continue with lessons in the other subject if they are presented with this issue at home. Currently the test has been assigned only for reading and MOST of the children have completed it. If you find a green button on your child's screen, ask them to switch to math for the night.
I will do my best to alert you to a possible mini test in the future (with more NOTICE!). Thank you for all of your support and fidelity in using this program at home! There is a bulletin board in the main hallway displaying the class usage for i-ready math and reading for all grade levels. We are one of the top 1st grade classes! I hope to continue to see our bar rise and possibly even have one of our student's names as the STAR for the grade level. I have begun recognizing students at the end of the week for the number of lessons they completed. Keep up the good work!
I will do my best to alert you to a possible mini test in the future (with more NOTICE!). Thank you for all of your support and fidelity in using this program at home! There is a bulletin board in the main hallway displaying the class usage for i-ready math and reading for all grade levels. We are one of the top 1st grade classes! I hope to continue to see our bar rise and possibly even have one of our student's names as the STAR for the grade level. I have begun recognizing students at the end of the week for the number of lessons they completed. Keep up the good work!
October 12, 2015
Book-It reading program
Our class will be participating in the Pizza Hut Book-It reading program. Here's how it works:
1. Every month I will set a goal for the number of books that your child must have on their reading log (OCT the goal is 25 books)
2. If they meet the goal by the end of the month (I'll keep track), they get a special sticker on a Book-It reading chart. They also receive a coupon for a free personal pan pizza.
3. If they meet their goal every month from Oct-Apr they get to participate in a pizza party with me!
You'll begin to see a smaller number on the left-hand side of your child's reading log indicating their monthly total (versus their ongoing total). We aren't even half way through the month yet, so still lots of time to read to your child and of course have them READ!
Character Students
This post is a bit late, but better late than never!
Each month we spotlight a different character trait. At the end of the month I choose a student who has really exemplified that trait.
August's character trait was RESPONSIBILITY. The character student of the month was BRIANNA. I can trust Brianna to go on errands around the school and know that she will be showing off her stellar citizenship. Brianna's responsibility is also shown by always remembering every item she needs for class (backpack, folder, snack, etc...). I am so proud of Brianna!
September's character trait was RESPECT. AJ is one of the most polite students and therefore is our character student for that month. He always looks me in the eye when I speak to him and uses a respectful tone of voice. He also is very respectful of his peers, from personal space to personal items. AJ is a wonderful classroom citizen!
The character trait for OCTOBER is COOPERATION.
Each month we spotlight a different character trait. At the end of the month I choose a student who has really exemplified that trait.
August's character trait was RESPONSIBILITY. The character student of the month was BRIANNA. I can trust Brianna to go on errands around the school and know that she will be showing off her stellar citizenship. Brianna's responsibility is also shown by always remembering every item she needs for class (backpack, folder, snack, etc...). I am so proud of Brianna!
September's character trait was RESPECT. AJ is one of the most polite students and therefore is our character student for that month. He always looks me in the eye when I speak to him and uses a respectful tone of voice. He also is very respectful of his peers, from personal space to personal items. AJ is a wonderful classroom citizen!
The character trait for OCTOBER is COOPERATION.
October 6, 2015
October 5, 2015
Boosterthon Update
I checked out our class totals this morning and it looks like we hit our next goal of $15 a lap!!!
Thank you so much for everyone's support.
We will enjoy our silly sock day in conjunction with our movie and popcorn day on Thursday, October 8. This is also the day of Boosterthon. We've been encouraged to wear a class color so it's easy to spot our little runners. I will be speaking with my grade level tomorrow morning and informing you of our class color then.
Keep those pledges coming!
Thank you so much for everyone's support.
We will enjoy our silly sock day in conjunction with our movie and popcorn day on Thursday, October 8. This is also the day of Boosterthon. We've been encouraged to wear a class color so it's easy to spot our little runners. I will be speaking with my grade level tomorrow morning and informing you of our class color then.
Keep those pledges coming!
October 1, 2015
September 29, 2015
Boosterthon
Our class is having a blast preparing for the Loretto Elementary School Fun Run coming up soon! Plus, we started learning how to “play with character” through the Fun Run’s character theme, Big World Recess. We’re traveling the world learning from REAL kid-athletes in other cultures.
Remember, as you connect to sponsors for the Fun Run, make sure all pledges are entered on funrun.com. The more pledges we get, the more incentives our class earns on our Pledge-O-Meter. Plus, for every $30 per lap our class pledges, a pair of shoes will be sent to a person in need in another country through the Great Shoe Takeoff giveback program. I know our students are excited to rise to the challenge!
Thank you for your generosity and supporting our school. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Have a great day!
PS - Make sure to register your child on funrun.com. He or she will receive a FREE GIFT just for being signed up. Use our school registration code: 595249
Remember, as you connect to sponsors for the Fun Run, make sure all pledges are entered on funrun.com. The more pledges we get, the more incentives our class earns on our Pledge-O-Meter. Plus, for every $30 per lap our class pledges, a pair of shoes will be sent to a person in need in another country through the Great Shoe Takeoff giveback program. I know our students are excited to rise to the challenge!
Thank you for your generosity and supporting our school. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Have a great day!
PS - Make sure to register your child on funrun.com. He or she will receive a FREE GIFT just for being signed up. Use our school registration code: 595249
September 28, 2015
PTA membership
A huge thank you to everyone who has joined. We are two "scoops" away from 100% membership which will earn us an ice cream party and $15 gift card. If you have an extended family member who would like the discounts that you get, they can sign up for a membership too.
September 22, 2015
Status of the Class
Reading
The main focus of our new reading series is listening comprehension. Students are read a selection with limited pictures and are responsible to recall the information. You can help at home by continuing to read to your child and discuss the stories that you read.
The current module is focusing on the human body. You will be amazed at the facts that your child is learning! It amazes me how much these young minds can absorb. Ask your child about the different body systems we've discussed and the importance of each one. Here's a cheat sheet for parents:
skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems. We will continue discussions this week with health and nutrition. Let's see if your child starts making better food choices on their own!!
Writing
We are spending one more week on the foundations for writing including writing in complete sentences using capitals, spacing, and punctuation. I hope you encourage your child at home to always do their best work and not to settle for anything less (specifically focusing on messy handwriting).
Math
The children are readily using the counting up strategy to solve for sums and missing addends. Encourage them to put one of the numbers in their head and count up using the other number. We are looking for fluency (little think time) in facts to 10.
i-ready
Most students are well under way with their lessons. Their will be a progress monitoring assessment assigned to them the first full week of October. I ask that they do not take this at home so I can get a more accurate assessment of their work. I will discuss this with the children as well. To begin a lesson, the button is red. I believe the button color will change to green to indicate a progress monitoring assessment has been assigned to them. Regular use of i-ready will prepare them for future diagnostics.
The main focus of our new reading series is listening comprehension. Students are read a selection with limited pictures and are responsible to recall the information. You can help at home by continuing to read to your child and discuss the stories that you read.
The current module is focusing on the human body. You will be amazed at the facts that your child is learning! It amazes me how much these young minds can absorb. Ask your child about the different body systems we've discussed and the importance of each one. Here's a cheat sheet for parents:
skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems. We will continue discussions this week with health and nutrition. Let's see if your child starts making better food choices on their own!!
Writing
We are spending one more week on the foundations for writing including writing in complete sentences using capitals, spacing, and punctuation. I hope you encourage your child at home to always do their best work and not to settle for anything less (specifically focusing on messy handwriting).
Math
The children are readily using the counting up strategy to solve for sums and missing addends. Encourage them to put one of the numbers in their head and count up using the other number. We are looking for fluency (little think time) in facts to 10.
i-ready
Most students are well under way with their lessons. Their will be a progress monitoring assessment assigned to them the first full week of October. I ask that they do not take this at home so I can get a more accurate assessment of their work. I will discuss this with the children as well. To begin a lesson, the button is red. I believe the button color will change to green to indicate a progress monitoring assessment has been assigned to them. Regular use of i-ready will prepare them for future diagnostics.
September 17, 2015
Class T-shirts
I have sent an order form home for your child to order a class T-shirt. The cost is only $5 and your child will have multiple times to wear their shirt. I ask that students wear it for field trips, play day, and other special events through the year (of course, they can wear it when they like!).
Please have order form and money to me no later than next Thursday, September 24 if you want your child to be included.
Please have order form and money to me no later than next Thursday, September 24 if you want your child to be included.
September 11, 2015
Sunshine Math
This will be the first week that you will see a yellow Sunshine Math paper attached to your child's homework. It is attached so that it is returned on Friday with the other homework.
I want to remind you this is a completely optional enrichment program offered by our school PTA. I HIGHLY encourage each child to attempt every sheet. If that means only completing 1-2 problems, then at least they tried! Students will receive credit for every sheet they turn in whether the answers are correct or not. At the end of the year students who attempted the majority of the sheets will get to attend a Sunshine Math party.
You as parents are not to help your child with this work. You may read to them and provide them materials to help count or keep track of their work, but you do not need to guide them to an answer. If you feel like they are frustrated have them take a break or move on altogether. A parent volunteer will be in on a regular basis to go over the sheets with the kids.
One more request... if you could sign the white sheet in front of the sheet this week. It's an agreement that you will not assist your child with these sheets and you're on board with them participating in the program.
Let me know if you have more questions!
I want to remind you this is a completely optional enrichment program offered by our school PTA. I HIGHLY encourage each child to attempt every sheet. If that means only completing 1-2 problems, then at least they tried! Students will receive credit for every sheet they turn in whether the answers are correct or not. At the end of the year students who attempted the majority of the sheets will get to attend a Sunshine Math party.
You as parents are not to help your child with this work. You may read to them and provide them materials to help count or keep track of their work, but you do not need to guide them to an answer. If you feel like they are frustrated have them take a break or move on altogether. A parent volunteer will be in on a regular basis to go over the sheets with the kids.
One more request... if you could sign the white sheet in front of the sheet this week. It's an agreement that you will not assist your child with these sheets and you're on board with them participating in the program.
Let me know if you have more questions!
September 9, 2015
Status of the Class
Reading
We are wrapping up our unit on fables and folktales this week. Students are being assessed on their listening comprehension as well as their knowledge of fable and folktale characteristics.
Starting next week we will begin our unit study on the human body.
Skills
We are continuing to review the short vowel sounds as well as decoding 3-letter CVC words. Every week we will do a making words activity in conjunction with the short vowel sound we are working with. You will see these letters go home in folders for your child to practice with at home.
We have also been doing a lot of oral word games were students are practicing a variety of skills including identifying beginning and ending sounds, rhyming, and letter/sound manipulation.
Math
Number combinations has been the focus of the past 3 weeks. Students have been introduced to a variety of new math techniques including sprints and number bonds. I will be e-mailing a parent letter for everyone to look at that helps you decode some of this new terminology and will hopefully help you in assisting your child with any math work that is sent home.
Writing
We started the year by reviewing the correct formation of letters with an emphasis of taking your time. Students have transition into the basics of writing a sentence with proper capitalization, spacing, and punctuation.
i-ready
We can't leave this component out! All students will be finished with the diagnostic assessments for reading and math by the end of the week. I will be sending home the parent letter to let you know how your child did on these assessments. It can be a little overwhelming to look at the report so please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. Don't fret if your child was placed at a level that is labeled as "Kindergarten". That leaves a lot of room for growth and does not effect their classroom grade. What I would prefer you focus on is that actual lessons they are completing at home (and school). You can check their progress periodically on their log-in page. We want to make sure they are not consistently failing lessons and having to repeat them. When using the computer at home, please make sure this area is free of distractions for the time they are on the computer.
We are wrapping up our unit on fables and folktales this week. Students are being assessed on their listening comprehension as well as their knowledge of fable and folktale characteristics.
Starting next week we will begin our unit study on the human body.
Skills
We are continuing to review the short vowel sounds as well as decoding 3-letter CVC words. Every week we will do a making words activity in conjunction with the short vowel sound we are working with. You will see these letters go home in folders for your child to practice with at home.
We have also been doing a lot of oral word games were students are practicing a variety of skills including identifying beginning and ending sounds, rhyming, and letter/sound manipulation.
Math
Number combinations has been the focus of the past 3 weeks. Students have been introduced to a variety of new math techniques including sprints and number bonds. I will be e-mailing a parent letter for everyone to look at that helps you decode some of this new terminology and will hopefully help you in assisting your child with any math work that is sent home.
Writing
We started the year by reviewing the correct formation of letters with an emphasis of taking your time. Students have transition into the basics of writing a sentence with proper capitalization, spacing, and punctuation.
i-ready
We can't leave this component out! All students will be finished with the diagnostic assessments for reading and math by the end of the week. I will be sending home the parent letter to let you know how your child did on these assessments. It can be a little overwhelming to look at the report so please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. Don't fret if your child was placed at a level that is labeled as "Kindergarten". That leaves a lot of room for growth and does not effect their classroom grade. What I would prefer you focus on is that actual lessons they are completing at home (and school). You can check their progress periodically on their log-in page. We want to make sure they are not consistently failing lessons and having to repeat them. When using the computer at home, please make sure this area is free of distractions for the time they are on the computer.
September 4, 2015
I-ready
Busy i-ready testing this morning. Hopefully your child will have access to lessons in both reading and math after today.
September 2, 2015
i-ready
I'm still fielding a lot of questions about i-ready and I want to make sure I'm addressing every one! It's a big part of how we assess the kids so I believe it's important to understand what they are doing and how you as a parent can help.
As a reminder please have your child log on i-ready for approximately 15-20 minutes every day. They should probably rotate between reading and math. Unfortunately, due to still being a diagnostic window, the math is unavailable for most students. Stick to reading for THIS WEEK ONLY.
Once all diagnostic testing is done, I will send a report home to let you know how your child scored in this baseline assessment. Remember, this is not for a grade. Instead, we want to utilize this program to reach every learner. Each student will get their own trajectory and specific lessons and practices assigned to them based on how they scored on the initial baseline.
Many students will test into a level that i-ready recognizes as "Kindergarten". Does this mean your child is below level? No, it simply means that they need lessons that are labeled as Kindergarten skills according to the i-ready scope and sequence.
What if the lessons are too easy? My blanket statement is that the computer assessed their knowledge and they are just going to have to work through them because they did not know the information on the diagnostic. For a few students I will have the capability to skip a lesson or two if I'm 100% certain they need to advance.
I had a parent ask me about tracking their progress. On your child's home page their is a tab where you can see their progress. It will be their progress over the course of the year, so you will have to monitor it if you want to really keep up with their weekly lessons. I will be looking on my end to see that children are completing a minimum of 2 lessons each week in each subject area (a total of 4 lessons). They will have access to computers first thing in the morning in my room as well as once a week during their center time.
As a reminder please have your child log on i-ready for approximately 15-20 minutes every day. They should probably rotate between reading and math. Unfortunately, due to still being a diagnostic window, the math is unavailable for most students. Stick to reading for THIS WEEK ONLY.
Once all diagnostic testing is done, I will send a report home to let you know how your child scored in this baseline assessment. Remember, this is not for a grade. Instead, we want to utilize this program to reach every learner. Each student will get their own trajectory and specific lessons and practices assigned to them based on how they scored on the initial baseline.
Many students will test into a level that i-ready recognizes as "Kindergarten". Does this mean your child is below level? No, it simply means that they need lessons that are labeled as Kindergarten skills according to the i-ready scope and sequence.
What if the lessons are too easy? My blanket statement is that the computer assessed their knowledge and they are just going to have to work through them because they did not know the information on the diagnostic. For a few students I will have the capability to skip a lesson or two if I'm 100% certain they need to advance.
I had a parent ask me about tracking their progress. On your child's home page their is a tab where you can see their progress. It will be their progress over the course of the year, so you will have to monitor it if you want to really keep up with their weekly lessons. I will be looking on my end to see that children are completing a minimum of 2 lessons each week in each subject area (a total of 4 lessons). They will have access to computers first thing in the morning in my room as well as once a week during their center time.
Scholastic Book Clubs
Monday your child came home with Scholastic Book flyers. Attached was a gold sheet detailing how to order books. A few reminder points:
- To order online go to www.scholastic.com/readingclub
- Enter Activation code: GVG88
- Orders are due by Friday, September 11
- You can order from ANY catalog (not just the ones I sent home)
- Every book you buy earns points for our class and allows me to buy books and other resources
August 30, 2015
Resources
The school-wide resource calendar has been finalized. You will see a new classroom calendar in your child's folder on Monday or Tuesday. You will be informed of which days we have our resources on. Resource classes go from 10:20-11:05. Please pay special attention to days we have PE and dress your child in the appropriate shoes.
We will have library check-out EVERY Thursday. Students can check out one book as long as they returned the previous one they were borrowing. Please have all books returned by the following Wednesday. If your child misses a Thursday check-out I will send them with another class the following day.
The calendar will also list which child is in charge of "Friday Treat". Please glance over the calendar each month to see if you are responsible for sending in the treat on a particular Friday.
We will have library check-out EVERY Thursday. Students can check out one book as long as they returned the previous one they were borrowing. Please have all books returned by the following Wednesday. If your child misses a Thursday check-out I will send them with another class the following day.
The calendar will also list which child is in charge of "Friday Treat". Please glance over the calendar each month to see if you are responsible for sending in the treat on a particular Friday.
August 27, 2015
Good looking group!
We are working on our rituals and routines this week. One of them is what we should look and sound like around school. Students should be at a voice level 0 (no talking), facing forward in line, on the right side of the sidewalk.
August 25, 2015
New garden
A huge thank you to Anthony Eddins for making our classroom garden look so beautiful. Not only did he weed and mulch, but he planted some pretty new plants too.
August 15, 2015
WELCOME
Thanks for visiting our class blog!
Come back to check often for things happening in our class, date reminders, and access to great online resources!
Come back to check often for things happening in our class, date reminders, and access to great online resources!
March 27, 2015
March 25, 2015
A few photos
The first picture is our sign we made for our FSA buddies in 4th grade.
In math we are working with various patterns including skip counting.
February 24, 2015
Book-it Reading Goal
It occurred to me that I never posted the reading goal for February. I'm looking for the kids to read at least 20 books this month in order to meet their goal and receive a sticker on the chart and pizza coupon. There are 4 days left!
Picture Day
Spring pictures are approaching. Our class will go on Tuesday, March 3 around 12:00. We will go for individual pictures as well as a class picture. All pictures need to be pre-paid if you would like to purchase. Order forms for individual pictures went home last week and class picture forms will be coming home shortly.
January 13, 2015
Symphony
We were treated to a wonderful performance by the Jacksonville Symphony this morning. Ask your child what instrument they like best.
January 6, 2015
Book-it Reading Goal
The number of students that continue to make their monthly reading goal has dwindled! I would love to see more students make their goal of 25 books this month. Please help ensure your child is making their goal by setting aside nightly reading time. We are slowly increasing our independent reading time to the 30 minute mark so they are ready for second grade. The majority of students can read by themselves for approximately 15-20 minutes. You may also want to encourage your child to write their own books in the reading log. All I need is a complete title and the author's last name.
Thank you for your continued support.
Thank you for your continued support.
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